Structure dataset 2: Sranan

Sranan, also known as Sranan Tongo, Taki-Taki, and Suriname Creole English, is used as the lingua franca of Suriname, and is one of 20 languages spoken in that country, among which are six other creoles. Sranan is spoken both as a first language and a lingua franca throughout the country and in western French Guiana. It is currently the native language of about 126,000 Surinamese, and a second (or third) language for most of the rest of the population of about 400,000. It is also estimated that most of the 200,000 people of Surinamese descent who now live in the Netherlands also speak Sranan. The varieties used by speakers there as well as by Dutch-dominant Surinamese have been influenced to varying degrees by Dutch. The varieties used by groups of Asian descent as well as by Amerindians also appear to have been influenced by the respective ethnic languages, though little research has been done to investigate such influences. There is also a great deal of variation in the language according to social class and status. In general, two primary varieties can be identified. One is the more conservative variety learnt as a first language by members of the working classes in poorer neighborhoods in Paramaribo, as well as in former plantation areas such as the Para District, Coronie, etc. These speakers are for the most part Afro-Surinamese, and refer to their vernacular as “Nengre” (Black Talk). This is the default lect selected for APiCS. The other main variety of Sranan has been more heavily influenced by Dutch since it is mostly used as second language by Dutch-dominant speakers, and is referred to as Dutch-influenced.